Project Management Specialist salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Project Management Specialists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median of $117,460 a year ($56.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,740 workers.
Pay ranges from $69,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,400 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $102,320. Pay here is 3% lower than the California statewide median of $120,910. There are 7.0 project management specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $120,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for project management specialists in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,660 | $33.49 |
| 25th percentile | $86,370 | $41.52 |
| Median | $117,460 | $56.47 |
| 75th percentile | $139,940 | $67.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,400 | $82.40 |
| Average (mean) | $120,130 | $57.76 |
Half of project management specialists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,788.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,894.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,517.69 |
| Weekly | $2,258.85 |
| Hourly | $56.47 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $117,460 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Project Management Specialist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $135,120 | 10,300 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $135,040 | 20,770 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $124,350 | 6,860 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $118,380 | 90 |
| Napa, CA | $109,060 | 310 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $108,730 | 640 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $108,310 | 38,540 |
| Yuba City, CA | $108,190 | 150 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $107,340 | 1,000 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $106,780 | 440 |
| Vallejo, CA | $106,520 | 720 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $106,250 | 1,030 |
| El Centro, CA | $105,860 | 140 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $104,990 | 1,510 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $104,580 | 1,410 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $104,240 | 910 |
| Merced, CA | $103,850 | 190 |
| Chico, CA | $103,320 | 320 |
| Modesto, CA | $102,490 | 670 |
| Salinas, CA | $102,400 | 490 |
| Fresno, CA | $101,030 | 1,720 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $100,770 | 6,720 |
| Redding, CA | $99,030 | 270 |
| Visalia, CA | $95,770 | 450 |
Highest-paying states for project management specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $124,160 |
| New Jersey | $122,980 |
| Delaware | $122,190 |
| New York | $121,040 |
| California | $120,910 |
| Virginia | $120,840 |
| Massachusetts | $114,190 |
| Colorado | $110,050 |
| New Mexico | $106,970 |
| Oregon | $105,480 |
See Project Management Specialist pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $96,580 | $46.44 |
| Management Analyst | $101,190 | $48.65 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $81,300 | $39.09 |
| Compliance Officer | $101,230 | $48.67 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $83,090 | $39.95 |
| Logistician | $100,130 | $48.14 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $75,670 | $36.38 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $84,550 | $40.65 |
| Cost Estimator | $87,170 | $41.91 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $66,060 | $31.76 |
| Fundraiser | $76,300 | $36.68 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $90,070 | $43.30 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $102,000 | $49.04 |
| Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes | $98,930 | $47.56 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-1082. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a project management specialist make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median salary for project management specialists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $117,460 a year, or $56.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $69,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid project management specialists make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The top 10% of project management specialists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn at least $171,400 a year. The top 25% earn $139,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for project management specialists in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $69,660 a year, and a quarter of project management specialists earn $86,370 or less.
How many project management specialists work in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
About 10,740 project management specialists are employed in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.